Huskies Keep it Close Against Tough Century Squad

Owatonna's girls' tennis team is off to its usually busy start on the season, playing three times over a four-day span. OHS is already five matches into their season and even had one rained out. The Huskies are 2-3 overall and 2-1 in the Big Nine Conference.

The Huskies lost a couple of close matches and dropped a 5-2 decision to the always tough Century Panthers Thursday in Rochester. Coach Curt Matejcek said, "Great battle versus Century. We had an opportunity to win that one. Great effort from the whole team. Lost a couple of third set matches but feel we good about how we competed."

Owatonna closed the day with a 6-1 win over Austin. Matejcek added, "Was a little worried about a letdown versus Austin but we played a nice second match."

In the day's opener against Century, Owatonna won No. 1 doubles with Leah Tucker/Caitlynne Bussert and No. 3 doubles with Kat McDermott/Olivia McDermott. Each of those wins came after those teams dropped their opening set to Century.

Owatonna's close losses came at No. 2 doubles with Liv Matejcek/Jaide Hanson and the No. 4 singles spot of Alex Huemoeller.

In the victory over Austin, Owatonna swept doubles with the teams of Tucker/Bussert, Matejcek/Huemoeller and Kat McDermott/Hanson. Three singles players won in straight sets: Sara Anderson, Megan Johnson, and Olivia Herzog.

The Huskies' season also includes a 6-1 loss to Eden Prairie, a 4-3 loss to Lakeville North and a 6-1 victory over Faribault. A match with Northfield was rained out Tuesday.

Coach Matejcek has a bit of a younger lineup this season, "We're a little young this year. We have a lot of athletes that are about the same level. After we lost Emily (Rahrick) last year to graduation, it forced everybody to play up a position."

Matejcek looks at Century, Mayo and John Marshall as being among the top contenders in the conference, saying they graduated very few players off their teams from last season.

OHS goes to Albert Lea Tuesday, August 27 for a 4:30 pm match. They will be home with Winona Thursday, August 29 at the OHS courts at 4:30 pm.

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